Download - Escape From A Dysfunctional Business
Escape From A Dysfunctional Business
MATT FISCHER, PRESIDENT, CURIOSITY ADVERTISING
• 1982-2001 in NYCAT&T, Pepsi, GE, Nabisco, Tropicana, Frito Lay, Kraft, Goodyear
Multiple Super Bowl Spots
• Lost my job in the post-911 meltdown
• Spent 18 months freelancing/looking for a job
• Had opportunity to join small agency in Cincinnati as a minority partner in spring of 2003
CINCINNATI - DREAM JOB
• Learned intricacies of running small agency vs. big agency
• Loved my staff and clients• Proud of our work• Grew agency 400% in 5 years
Project>agency of record
Local>national clients• Staff grew from 14 to 75• Hated my boss
LESSONS LEARNED IN CINCINNATI
• Should have done my homework on the majority owner
• Didn’t cut his teeth in the ad industry
• Didn’t embrace service business model
• Minority partnership - not a good idea
• Need trust and truth
4Q 2008
• Business doing well
• All time personal low
• Felt trapped and frustrated
• Angry and embarrassed
• Found CEBI! (or CEBI found me)
DECEMBER 2008 - MY VIRGIN CEBI MEETING
• Not sure what to expect• Spilled my guts to complete strangers• Didn’t realize level of stress
• They listened
• Asked insightful questions
• Shared personal stories
• Cogent and actionable advice
• Encouraged me
CEBI FEEDBACK
• Admit self-deceptionsCannot change situationIf I just try a little harder...
• Must leave• Square it with my wife first• Don’t be afraid of risk• Control my own destiny• Begin job search
Understand non-competes
MY TAKEAWAYS
• Business issues• Credit line• Breaking point for minority partners
MAD MEN - August 2009
• Explained developments• Received excellent advice
• Banks and credit lines• Potential legal needs and
path• Strategies and options• Confidence
MAD MEN - CEBI 3Q MEETING
• Agreed to buy agency from majority owner
• He changes mind and fires minority owners
• Successfully negotiate non-competes• Won right to start new agency• Contacted clients after separation
agreement• Hired away staff to new firm
MAD MEN - THE SPLIT
• Opened doors January 1, 2010
• Started with 3 clients• Staff of 9
THE BIRTH OF CURIOSITY ADVERTISING
• 10 Clients - National and local• 20 Staff members• Expect to be at 30 by end of
year
CURIOSITY ADVERTISING T0DAY
• Never been happier• Eternally Grateful for the advice
and support from CEBI
MATT FISCHER T0DAY